Who is Princess Astrid of Norway? Late King Harald’s sister dies aged 94, two days after attending her brother’s funeral | Today’s news
Norway’s Princess Astrid, older sister of the late King Harald, died on Friday at the age of 94, according to a statement from the royal palace.
Astrid’s brother, King Harald, died last month aged 89 after spending more than 35 years on the throne. On Wednesday, she made her last public appearance at his funeral.
“Throughout her long life, Princess Astrid represented the royal house in a warm and conscientious manner,” King Haakon VIII said in a statement.
Who is Princess Astrid of Norway?
Princess Astrid Maud Ingeborg, also known as Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, was a member of the Norwegian royal family. Born on 12 February 1932, she was the second daughter and last surviving child of King Olav V and Princess Märtha of Sweden.
Princess Astrid was born at Villa Solbakken to the future King Olav V and Crown Princess Märthe. She was baptized in the palace chapel on March 31.
Her godparents included her paternal grandparents, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway, her maternal grandparents, Prince Carl and Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, as well as several members of the British, Danish and Swedish royal families, including Princess Astrid of Sweden, Elizabeth, Duchess of York, Princess Thyra of Denmark, Prince Eugene of Sweden and Prince George of the United Kingdom.
Astrid was named after her maternal aunt, paternal grandmother, and maternal grandmother. She was also the great-granddaughter of Britain’s King Edward VII, making her a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. At the time of her birth, she was 18th in line to the British throne.
Astrid was the aunt of King Haakon VIII. and the older sister of King Harald V. After her mother died in 1954, she assumed the role of First Lady of Norway during the reign of her grandfather, King Haakon VII.
She continued in this role throughout the reign of her father Olav V until her brother Harald married in 1968.
Princess Astrid studied economics and political history at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University for two years.
Princess Astrid of Norway married Johan Ferner in 1961 and had five children
Princess Astrid married Johan Ferner in 1961 and the couple had five children. In her later years, she continued to attend official public events and commemorations, while receiving an honorary government pension.
She also served as chairwoman of the Crown Princess Märtha Memorial Fund and was a patron of several organizations, especially those dealing with the support of children and young people with dyslexia.
Public role
After her mother’s death in 1954, Astrid assumed a prominent role in the Norwegian royal household. She served as a senior lady of the court and performed the duties of First Lady of Norway until her brother married Sonja Haraldsen in August 1968.
During this period, Astrid accompanied her father on official engagements and represented the royal family on state visits. In September 1954, she also joined the royal cruise organized by Queen Frederika and King Paul of Greece. The event, later known as the “Cruise of the Kings”, brought together more than 100 members of European royal families.
